Turkey lifts veil on unemployment data, revealing bigger army of jobless A new, broader set of labor statistics has exposed a big gap between Turkey’s official unemployment rate and the actual joblessness in the crisis-hit country. Turkey
Rights group criticizes Jordan over debt imprisonment Human Rights Watch has highlighted the plight of poor Jordanians imprisoned for failing to pay back loans taken out to meet basic needs. Jordan
COVID accelerates evolution of Gulf economies The economic policy response to COVID-19 is an acceleration of specific trends already underway across the Gulf Cooperation Council members, variously affecting tax policy, labor market regulation and immigration policy. Saudi Arabia
Iran receives COVID-19 vaccine from Cuba Iran enjoys warm relations with the Latin American state and the two countries are also developing a coronavirus vaccine together. Iran
Fixing Gaza's electricity crisis Poor management and dubious contracts by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are making an electricity crisis in Gaza worse. Palestine
Saudi film captivates Israeli moviegoers "Wadjda" opens a window into Saudi society and the phenomenon of feminism there, unknown to the Israeli public. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani tackles unfinished projects Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s plans to create jobs by subsidizing projects with small and medium-sized enterprises were a failure, leaving the new president to pick up the slack. Iran
Diyarbakir is ready for the historic visit Diyarbakir is ready for the visits of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani and Kurdish singer in exile Shivan Perwer, upon Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s invitation. Iraq
Turkey’s restart in regional and foreign energy policies Ankara is recasting its policies toward Cyprus, Israel, Azerbaijan and Iraq. Iraq
Turkey charts new course in Iraq Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's recent visit to Baghdad, Najaf and Karbala is the latest sign of a new, dual-track policy on Iraq that is endorsed by the United States. Egypt
Iraq: Oil companies tighten security following attack Following the Nov. 1 attack on the Ahdab oil field in southern Iraq, foreign oil companies operating in the country have tightened security measures while the government tries to ease concerns. Iraq
Report on Nile River Basin bolsters Egypt A new report indicates that, despite claims to the contrary, Egypt is not receiving an inflated share of the Nile's waters. Egypt
Turkey returns to balance in Baghdad, KRG ties Turkey is flirting with Baghdad while dancing with Erbil. Iraq
Saudi Arabia cracks down on illegal immigrants The latest crackdown raises larger questions about the role of foreign labor in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
8 pillars of Egypt's economic recovery Egypt’s economic situation is urgent; the government needs to deliver on reforms. Egypt
Jordan faces no-nukes campaign Jordan's October announcement that it would build two nuclear reactors has ignited a local anti-nuke campaign. Jordan
